When a CSX freight train stopped in the heart of Kennesaw, Georgia, and blocked a busy rail crossing, pedestrians and motorists alike were upset. But more than that, it created a dangerous situation.
Because the end of the train was in sight and the city had blocked a pedestrian underpass, dozens of people crossed the tracks around the end of the train.
Yes, railroad tracks are private property, and it is dangerous to cross the tracks where there is no grade crossing, but people do this all the time. That’s why cities must be more proactive with railroad safety. Will anyone else?
Cities can’t rely on people instinctively understanding the dangers of crossing railroad tracks where there is no crossing. I say that because people do it all the time, and in 2023, far too many people don’t understand the potential dangers of railroads.
It’s time for cities to step up and play a more significant role in railroad safety in their communities.
